Enhanced Surveillance System in West Philippine Sea: AFP Modernization Program

#westphilippinesea #southchinaseadispute #philippines

The Philippines inaugurated a new coast guard monitoring station based on Thitu in Kalayaan Island Group. An island occupied by Filipino forces in the disputed South China Sea, and plans to expand joint patrols with the US and Australia to counter China’s increasingly aggressive actions and pure bullying in the strategic waterway.
The completion of the station, which will be officially commissioned in early 2024, was designed to enhance the monitoring capabilities of the Philippines in the South China Sea region. This came as coast guard officials reported a further increase in the Chinese presence in the disputed region.
Inaugurated earlier this month, the new three-story facility is equipped with state-of-the art technology such as radar, automatic identification, satellite communication, and coastal cameras.
Manila's outpost of Thitu is its biggest and most strategically important in the South China Sea, largely claimed by Beijing despite conflicting territorial claims by several regional nations. Known locally as Pag-aza, Thitu lies about 300 miles or 480 kilometers west of the Philippine province of Palawan. Home to about 200 people, it is used by Manila to maintain its territorial claim.
Japan has delivered to the Philippines the first unit of a long-range air surveillance radar system to be used by the Philippine Air Force. It was part of the first major deal on military hardware that Japan had reached with another country since easing its self-imposed prohibition on arms exports.
The 5.5 billion pesos shipment was made last month while work is ongoing on the remaining units for future delivery, the Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric Co. said in a statement last week. The company made the announcement on the eve of the arrival of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Manila for a two-day official visit.
For Japan, the Philippines is a strategic partner that will share basic defense values, and to enhance cooperation in defense equipment and technology. This is important for ensuring peace and stability in Japan and the region, particularly in South China Sea.
The capability of the Philippine Navy, to build its own major warship vessels, may no longer be a far-fetched idea. In fact, it might happen next year. As the Philippine Navy, eyes foreign shipbuilders to acquire additional multi-mission vessels, including warships and submarines.
As part of its long-term modernization program, a local company wants to get a share of the country's defense spending on maritime assets. But it admits the ambitious plan could not be carried out without challenges.
In terms of the ability to build vessels, the Philippines can actually do a lot. The country has some medium-sized to large-sized shipyards. A lot of the assets can potentially be built here locally. What is lacking is probably the experience, and the proven track record to physically build a warship. On the upside, tapping local shipyards to build the Navy's warships can be good for the economy, particularly the labor sector.
Philippines Armed Forces Modernization Plan.
The third phase of the military’s 15-year modernization plan, dubbed Horizon 3, includes the acquisition of multirole fighter jets, radars, two additional Jose Rizal-class frigates, missile systems, helicopters and the country’s first submarine fleet. Initial plans also included acquiring additional BrahMos missiles and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems for the Army for coastal defense.
The modernization effort began in 2013, but budget limitations have delayed progress. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told lawmakers last month that 10% of Horizon 1, meant to take place from 2013 to 2018, and about 53% of Horizon 2, scheduled from 2018 to 2022, are complete.
However, in response to clashes between China and the Philippines in recent weeks, Manila is speeding up its acquisition plans, with the legislature earmarking 45 billion pesos in defense spending for 2024. Senators have relayed support in passing supplemental budgets for intelligence and materiel acquisitions related to South China Sea operations.
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Видео Enhanced Surveillance System in West Philippine Sea: AFP Modernization Program канала ASEAN Analytics